College senior Abby Huntsman says her father, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, "laughs off" questions about a possible vice presidential bid.
But Huntsman - who is also a Penn alumnus and trustee - is often mentioned by the media and political pundits as a potential choice to be Arizona Sen. John McCain's running mate on the Republican ticket.
Huntsman's friendship with and continued support for McCain seem to be the chief reasons his name is in the mix.
Huntsman endorsed McCain in March 2006, despite strong support for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in Utah and the fact that both Romney and Huntsman are Mormon.
Abby Huntsman said her father and McCain are close.
"I think they have a very unique connection and are really there for support no matter what," she said. "It's a genuine friendship."
Jon Huntsman's office also said the politicians have a strong relationship.
"Governor Huntsman is a long-time supporter of Sen. McCain and believes he is the best candidate for America," said Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley.
Huntsman was one of the first governors to put his support behind McCain.
This close and long-term relationship supports the possibility of a vice-presidential bid for Huntsman, said Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor at the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan group that analyzes political races.
Despite this relationship, analysts say that Huntsman might not provide a great deal of extra votes for McCain.
"Utah is a Republican state, so McCain should do well there," said political analyst and St. Joseph's University history professor Randall Miller. "I don't know that [Huntsman] gains a lot for McCain."
But at this point, it seems that it is just too early to tell.
"Senator McCain is just now beginning the process to go about choosing a vice-presidential running mate," said McCain spokesman Jeff Sadosky. "It's very early in the process."
Huntsman's office also said speculation about the vice-presidential candidate is premature and said Huntsman plans to run for re-election this fall.
Abby Huntsman said the vice-presidential candidate is still up in the air but acknowledged that it's possible McCain will ask her dad to fill the role.
"When it comes down to it, I think McCain will choose someone he really trusts, whether that's my dad or someone else," she said.
Other names often mentioned in relation to the Republican vice-presidential ticket include former Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a string of governors, including former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.
